Chapter 72: The Charred Forest and the Sky Whale

The raging fire that devoured the vast forest brought significant changes to this land.

Monsters that had once lived in the forest began to be driven out, sparking frequent territorial disputes among them.

The defeated monsters had no choice but to move in search of new homes, triggering an unprecedented mass migration of monsters.

This migration disrupted the mana of the land.

The mana emitted by massive creatures ascended into the sky, forming immense storms that blanketed the region.

Initially, we estimated it would take about a month to return to the base, but the constant storms of mana forced us to extend our journey.

Today, as dark clouds began to gather in the sky once again, our group was compelled to seek shelter in a cave to avoid the storm.

Before long, we found a suitable cave and took cover, just as the violent storm began to rage.

RUMBLE—!

“It’s coming down with quite the force,” Selion commented.

“Still, it’s a relief that the fire is finally extinguished,” Noel added, glancing outside.

Just as Noel mentioned, the recurring storms played a critical role in putting out the fire that had consumed the forest.

However, the enormous forest had already vanished, leaving behind only blackened ashes.

The survivors who had received my healing magic, including Noel and Dorvan, recovered at an astonishing speed over time.

Although the healing magic I had cast was only a form of emergency first aid, their transformed bodies now far surpassed human regenerative capabilities.

Though they tilted their heads curiously as they checked their physical conditions, they didn’t seem particularly concerned.

After the storm raged on for some time, the dark clouds finally began to clear.

We emerged from the cave and resumed our journey.

Due to the rain that accompanied the storm, the surrounding air was heavy with moisture.

We reached the base a month and a week later than initially planned.

As I spotted the distant base, I frowned. Part of the towering gate that once stood tall was shattered as though it had been struck by a bomb.

“It looks like the base was attacked by monsters,” Selion observed, frowning at the sight.

As we got closer, we saw many people busily repairing the collapsed outer wall.

They paused their work to smile and wave at us as we approached.

Just as we were about to enter the base, a man hammering atop a high structure tilted his head and called out with a question.

“Did the base issue a group recall order?”

“What does he mean by that?” Selion asked, halting in her tracks to respond.

The man’s abrupt question stopped her mid-step.

“I was just wondering because most of the teams on exploration missions suddenly started returning,” he explained.

“Other teams besides us?”

“Yeah. You’ll understand if you head inside.”

Following his advice, we entered the base and found it teeming with people.

Most of them hadn’t been there when Selion and I had left the base.

“Let’s head to the lodging first,” Selion suggested.

As instructed, we returned to our quarters and unpacked.

Most of the team members collapsed onto their beds immediately, exhausted from the lengthy journey, but Selion didn’t rest.

She swiftly organized her belongings, grabbed some documents, and headed out.

Selion didn’t return to the lodging until a day later.

I was eating at the table when I welcomed her back, noting her tired appearance.

“Welcome back.”

“Yeah…”

“What were you up to?”

“This and that… I had discussions with various team leaders.”

Selion let out a deep yawn and then casually swiped the soft bread from my plate.

Biting into it, she gave me a playful smirk, as if trying to provoke me.

I simply stared at her quietly.

Seeing her pulling pranks she usually wouldn’t, it was clear she wasn’t in the best state.

I grabbed a fresh piece of bread from the basket beside me and shoved it into my mouth.

“…”

An awkward silence hung between us.

Feeling uneasy about the quiet, Selion cleared her throat and retreated to her room.

She didn’t emerge until late at night.

Under the darkened sky, she called for all team members to assemble, saying she had something important to discuss.

Only twenty members showed up.

Just a month ago, Selion’s team had thirty members, but ten were lost in the King’s assault.

“Sorry to call you all so late… but I need to tell you something,” Selion began slowly.

She explained how the forest we had been investigating had burned down entirely, leading to the massive migration of monsters.

The return of other exploration teams to the base was also tied to this event.

As the displaced monsters moved in search of new territories, numerous base camps had been attacked.

“Can’t we just regroup and resume our exploration?” Noel asked.

Selion shook her head.

“We were going to, but… the forest has opened up.”

“The forest has… opened up?”

“The forest we were investigating, the enormous one that blocked the center of this land, was completely burned down. Now, a path has appeared.”

“So that means…”

“Yes. We can now move into areas we’ve never been able to explore before. On top of that, there aren’t any monsters nearby. They’ve all fled down south to escape the fire.”

“Then, to that place…?”

“That’s right. The other team leaders agreed. All team members will move there together.”

Selion’s gaze shifted to Dorvan, Noel, and the remaining two members.

They were all survivors of King’s attack.

“Those who will go together, please remain here. Those who will leave on the next boat, return to your rooms.”

At Selion’s words, about ten people stood up from their seats. Half of the group left.

Dorvan and Noel stayed, but the other two survivors mixed with the ten who returned to their rooms.

Selion briefly explained the tasks ahead to the remaining ten members.

I diligently took notes in a notebook meant for supplies.

“We’ll depart in three days. Make sure to prepare thoroughly.”

“Yes!”

Time passed quickly, and the promised departure date approached.

Over the past three days, everyone in the base had been incredibly busy.

Massive carts were prepared, essential supplies for exploration were packed, and missing items were directly procured from nearby areas.

“So much…”

I let out an exclamation as I sat atop Nightmare.

A total of five teams gathered at the entrance, ready to depart.

Only a minimal number of people were left behind to protect the base—everyone else was here.

The number of adventurers capable of fighting monsters exceeded a hundred.

Adding scholars for research, the total number of participants reached an astounding 120.

“Let’s move out!”

Once the personnel and supplies were checked, the gate of the base slowly opened.

As the massive door creaked, the leading team members began to move out.

Our team was assigned to guard the carts, so we walked alongside them at a leisurely pace.

It was a relatively easy task since we didn’t have to stay alert for monsters.

The path toward the charred forest was not smooth.

Starving monsters, displaced from their habitats, constantly attacked.

Occasionally, storms of mana swept across the land, shaking everything.

Despite these obstacles, the expedition pressed on steadily and tirelessly.

The carts, laden with goods, were the main hindrance.

When there was no path, trees had to be cut down to build makeshift bridges.

If a high cliff appeared, the carts had to be hauled up from above.

After about two months, we finally reached the charred forest.

I gazed at the scorched, ashen path.

Even though the fire had been extinguished, intense heat still radiated from beneath the blackened ash.

Despite the time that had passed since the fire, no new sprouts had emerged.

It seemed that Kalvain’s mana still lingered, burning all life to ashes.

The blackened forest had transformed into a mere road.

The towering vine trees were nowhere to be seen.

The monsters’ charred corpses crumbled at the slightest touch, and the occasional soft breeze toppled large chunks of charcoal.

Looking at the clear path, I thought we could pass through quickly, but that wasn’t the case.

Progress was delayed as scholars wandered around, investigating the area.

The scholars examined the remains of burnt monsters and plants with keen interest, but their primary focus lay elsewhere.

“What kind of fire could burn monsters to the point where not even their bones remain?”

“A monster that breathes fire… Its internal structure must be fascinating.”

“To set this entire forest ablaze, it must carry gas within its body. Its size must be enormous.”

“Given that there are no footprints nearby, it’s likely a flying monster.”

“A massive flying monster that breathes fire? It reminds me of the tale of Kalvain, said to have burned everything in the world.”

Listening to the scholars’ conversation, I silently ran my hand over the back of my hand.

It took a total of one week to traverse the blackened forest.

As the ashen path disappeared and signs of life began to appear around us, the black soot that had clouded our vision vanished.

What unfolded before our eyes was a barren land adorned with dazzling minerals.

The crystals scattered along the path sparkled brilliantly, but the land beneath was utterly desolate.

It was hard to imagine any living creatures surviving in such a place.

“Oh, this is…”

Scholars and adventurers scattered in all directions to examine the crystals.

That was when I noticed something unusual. Scanning my surroundings, I spotted a peculiar movement far away in the sky.

Emerging from the clouds, it moved as if swimming through the sea.

A massive body with fins flapping on either side broke through the white clouds.

The rest of its form was hidden, but I could tell it likely had a long tail fin extending from its back.

“A whale…?”

“That’s…”

I wasn’t the only one who noticed the massive flying whale.

One by one, the adventurers, who had been engrossed in the crystals, turned their gaze skyward.

At that moment, the enormous whale disappeared into the clouds.